$100,000 to further develop the successful All Right? to have a rural focus, this in-turn will become part of a national resource.

$100,000 targeted support for Marlborough schools to help strengthen resilience and support for staff and students.

$50,000 for the Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand for the North Canterbury and Top of the South Rural Support Trusts to assist people’s access to health and well-being activities.

The initial $3.76 million support package was made up of four key areas; providing free or subsidised GP visits until May, boosting mental health services, hiring additional health practitioners which includes mental health experts and paying the balance of the Kaikōura Health Te Ha o Te Ora health centre.

To date, in Kaikōura and Hurunui there have been just over 7,000 free GP visits. Canterbury DHB’s Recovery Wellbeing team have had more than 400 visits to support people affected by the Hurunui/Kaikoura Quakes.

In Marlborough, Ward, Seddon and Kekerengu there have been just over 650 free GP visits.

This support package was designed in consultation with Nelson Marlborough and Canterbury DHBs. It is on top of the $20 million package of initiatives to increase mental health support for Cantabrians announced in March 2016.